Guest column – Philanthropy takes teamwork

My initial reaction to “Teamwork fits charities needs” in the Philanthropy Journal (Dec. 24, 2002) was visceral and a little defensive. With 30 years of fundraising and grantmaking experience, the notion that donors are responsible for “philanthropy’s fog” strikes me as naďve.

Todd Cohen says in that column that “philanthropy is not fair” and he is exactly right. What is?

He says people who control wealth can “…do what they like with it” and he’s partially correct. And his statement that “charities are owed nothing” is also right.

So what’s the problem?

Good intentions are not enough. Most donors, even those who confuse having money with being smart, come to philanthropy as rookies. They learn much of what they know about nonprofits from nonprofits and here’s what they’ve been taught:

* Our cause is just. We deserve funding more than any one else because we’re different.

* Our project is important. We don’t have time to learn about the donor, what they do, where their money comes from or to answer questions. Besides, those forms are busy work.